[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29025]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 990527146-9146-01; I.D. 110199B]


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop 
and Northeast Multispecies Fisheries; Georges Bank Sea Scallop 
Exemption Program

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Termination of the Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this announcement that the Regional Administrator, 
Northeast Regional Office, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has 
determined that the 387 metric tons (MT) of the total allowable catch 
(TAC) of yellowtail flounder allowed in the Georges Bank Sea Scallop 
Exemption Program (Exemption Program) has been projected to be caught 
as of 0001 hours (local time), November 2, 1999, and entry into the 
Exemption Program is terminated. Vessels may not declare and begin an 
Exemption Program trip after midnight (local time), November 2, 1999. 
Vessels enrolled in the Exemption Program will be required to complete 
their trip by November 12, 1999 or when the vessel harvests 10,000 lb 
(4,536.0 kg) of sea scallop meats, whichever comes first. The entire 
exemption area remains closed to vessels not enrolled in the Exemption 
Program until midnight (local time), November 12, 1999.

DATES: The Georges Bank Sea Scallop Exemption Program is terminated on 
November 2, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter J. Gardiner, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 10, 1999, NMFS published a final 
rule to implement measures contained in Framework Adjustment 11 to the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Framework 
Adjustment 29 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP (64 FR 31144). This 
rule, which allows sea scallop dredge vessels access to the Exemption 
Program area contains a provision to ensure that the yellowtail 
flounder bycatch/incidental catch remains within the 387 MT total 
allowable catch (TAC) level established for this fishery. Section 
648.58(f)(2) specifies that this mechanism is triggered when the 
Regional Administrator projects that 387 MT will be caught. Further, 
this section stipulates that NMFS will publish notification in the 
Federal Register informing the public of the date of the termination of 
the Exemption Program. Based on an analysis of information obtained 
through vessel observer reports, the Regional Administrator has 
determined that 387 MT was reached on November 2, 1999. Vessels may not 
declare and begin an Exemption Program trip after midnight (local 
time), November 2, 1999. Therefore, vessels will no longer be allowed 
to elect to fish in the Exemption Program through their Vessel 
Monitoring System units after midnight (local time), November 2, 1999. 
Vessels enrolled in the Exemption Program will be required to complete 
their trip by November 12, 1999, or when the vessel harvests 10,000 lb 
(4,536.0 kg) of sea scallop meats, whichever comes first. The entire 
exemption area remains closed to vessels not enrolled in the Exemption 
Program until midnight (local time), November 12, 1999.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 2, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29025 Filed 11-2-99; 4:42 pm]
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